South African wine industry says can export wines during lockdown

South Africa's wine industry will be allowed to export its products after heavy lobbying to government saw a relaxation of coronavirus-linked lockdown rules on Tuesday, industry body Vinpro said in a statement.

"On Tuesday afternoon, 7 April 2020, the Minister of Transport gazetted new directions under the lockdown regulations to expressly permit the export of wines and other fresh produce products," Vinpro in a statement.

Vinpro represents around 2,500 South African wine producers, cellars and industry stakeholders and has been at the forefront of talks with government since a lockdown was imposed from March 27 to control the spread of the new coronavirus.